MUARA, Tuesday, 11 April 2023 – JS KIRISAME of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) departed Muara after a goodwill visit to Brunei Darussalam from 09 to 11 April 2023 led by Captain Maki Takayuki, Commander of Escort Division 4, JMSDF.
JS KIRISAME is currently on a training deployment in the region whilst interacting with regional navies. The ship arrived at the Muara Commercial Wharf on 09 April 2023 and was received by a welcoming ceremony by RBN led by Commander Malek Fadillah bin Pehin Dato Haji Kefli, RBN, Acting Fleet Chief of Staff. Also present were His Excellency Maeda Toru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Brunei Darussalam and staff of the Embassy of Japan in Bandar Seri Begawan. RBN Officers and ratings present during the welcoming ceremony were then invited onboard JS KIRISAME for a ship visit.
During the Goodwill Visit, Officer Cadets of JMSDF also had an interaction session with Officer Cadets from the Officer Cadet School (OCS), Defence Academy (DA), Royal Brunei Armed Force’s (RBAF). The interaction session began onboard JS KIRISAME as the Officer Cadets learned about the JMSDF and the ship before proceeding to KDB DARUSSALAM and KDB DARUTTAQWA where they learned about RBN and the ship’s roles and capabilities. The JMSDF Officer Cadets also had the opportunity to visit Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF).
The JMSDF delegation consisting of Captain Maki Takayuki, Commander of Escort Division 4, JMSDF and Commander Sakata Atsushi, JS KIRISAME Commanding Officer, made a courtesy call to Captain Khairil Haji Abdul Rahman, Fleet Commander RBN where both sides reaffirmed the close relations between RBN and JMSDF.
JS KIRISAME departed Brunei on 11 April 2023 and were sent-off with a farewell ceremony by RBN led by Commander Malai Haszahrin bin Malai Yusof, Commanding Officer Base. After which, JS KIRISAME was joined by KDB DARUTTAQWA for a Passage Exercise at sea focused on communications and manoeuvring drills in conjunction with JS KIRISAME’s goodwill visit.
This series of interaction represents the cordial defence and security relations between both RBN and JMSDF established through years of engagement at sea and through multilateral events. The RBN reaffirms its commitment to strengthen its bilateral relations with JMSDF, enhancing interoperability towards the goal of cooperation at sea and wishes JS KIRISAME a smooth journey to her next port of call.
